This is not the story about famous mountain-Kotagala at Hatton. A rock with short height from base is called as Kota-කොට (short) +Gala-ගල (rock/ mountain) in Sinhala. This mountain is situated just in left side when you start travel along Ibbagamuwa-Madagalla (ඉබ්බාගමුව-මඩගල්ල) road. Anupama and Myself were planning to hike this mountain as it’s appearance to Madagalla road is attractive. But we didn’t know it is called as Kotagala by locals. It is marked as Kandalawa (කදලව) in metric map.
Though it is situated on the side of Ibbagamuwa-Madagalla road, the drop is more in that side. As goggle map shows less drop in other side, we decided to find a place to climb in that side. There is a by road at Pannala junction which goes parallel to a water canal. We drove along this canal road and “Kotagala” appeared in our right side as a range. After certain distance we came across a road crossing the canal towards a temple. We met the chief priest at temple to find a clue to hike the mountain situated behind the temple. According to his guidance we drove further 200/300m along this temple road (up to a Siyambala tree) and parked our vehicle and got directions from locals. We were advised to start the hike behind a nearby house. After having the breakfast bought by Anupama we started the hike through dry forest. It was a continuous hike under the shades of trees till we come to the edge of the mountain.

Kotagala is mentioned as Kandalawa in metric map. It is circled here. Click image to enlarge.

The peak of Kotagala is marked by star. Our approximate route is drawn from anicut road.

Spiky Kotagala is seen at beginning

Getting the start

Dry forest

Break….

It was not difficult though it is a continuous hike.

A cave

Seems it is like a blind end but we could get on top of it.

Narrow edge where you can have a breathtaking view

Though this edge of Kotagala is bit risky it provides a breath taking view to surrounding. We were able to identify Hadurukkanda with Belgoda Kanda, Yakdessagala, Gonagama Kanda, Nathagane, Bathalagoda Lake, Alagalla (far away), Andagala and Ethugala.

Hadurukkanda and Belgoda Kanda is behind

Paddies

Paddies at Mahamukalanyaya (මහමූකලන්යාය)

Nearby mountain-It is mentioned as Peddawa in metric map. The road which runs with the canal goes in between Kotagala and this mountain.

Surrounding view towards Yakdessagala, Gonagama range and Nathagane

Nathagane, Yakdessagala and Gonagama Kanda

Zoomed view of Yakdessagala and Nathagane

Had a superb view from here

Dangerous seat

Bathalagoda Lake

Alagalla

Andagala and Ethugala. A part of Kurunegala town is also seen as a crowded area.

This is the road goes parallel with water canal

The temple we came across on our way to trail head.

Hadurukkanda was rising as a giant

Then we hiked along the edge of Kotagala and entered an open area with Iluk (ඉලුක් ) bushes. It was like a second view point with slab rock surrounded by Iluk and provided the same view we had. Bisogala range was appeared beyond Bathalagoda lake as we were in much higher point than previous.

Next part of the climb through Iluk and boulders

Through Iluk

Through Iluk

Second view point with more space

View towards Bathalegala Lake and Bisogala range

Nearby giants were marked

Bisogala range and Bathalegala lake is zoomed

Surrounding view

Paddies zoomed

Bisogala is centered.

On top of second view point

Deduru Oya reservoir

Greenish

Greenish

After spending time on second view point we hiked to the highest point of Kotagala through another dry forest patch. It was a spiky summit and surveyor’s mark was there. We could notice some arrows to show directions to the peak. First time we saw Dolukanda from Kotagala. (Though it is situated closer to Kotagala not appeared due to forest cover on that side). Apart from that we were able to identify Makulussa, Ambokka with Selagama Mini World’s end, Etipola, Wilshire and Knuckles massif as well. As it was a clear day most of the peaks were identifiable. Ibbagamuwa-Madagalla road and that side was not seen due to forest cover. We took about 3 hours to reach the peak from trail head. After enjoying the view from top of Kotagala we followed the same route to reach the trail head.

Surveyor’s mark on top of Bisogala

Arrows for directions to the summit

Anupama and myself on top of Bisogala

We are on top of Kotagala

Stepped on summit

It’s me …on top of Kotagala

It’s me …on top of Kotagala

Having Manioc for the lunch

Greenish Kurunegala District-Coconut and paddies

Dolukanda

View towards Ambokka, Selagama mini world’s end and Makulussa. The gap must be Gokarella and Melsiripura area

Ambokka and Selagama Mini World’s end

View towards Ambokka, Selagama mini world’s end and Makulussa. The gap must be Gokarella and Melsiripura area

Makulussa

Wilshire and Etipola

Zoomed view of Wilshire and Etipola

Another set of mountains. I can’t remember the area

Cross section of Kotagala

Thanks for reading

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